Questions about niacinamide

It looks like every brand in Korea includes niacinamide in their creams. I even found it listed in a cream that is not specifically marketed for anti-aging (Missha). It is interesting that Missha also offers anti-aging creams with niacinamide that are twice as expensive. Is there any real difference between different creams containing niacinamide or do they all offer the same benefits? How can I know which product is better? Does price matter? Is 20 000 won (20 dollars) for 50 ml too cheap or too expensive? Are eye creams different and is it necessary to buy a separate cream just to use around my eyes or I can just use any niacinamide cream there? I am also worried because I am already very pale so will niacinamide make my skin even whiter? Some of the creams contain ethanol, isn't that a problem? Also, my skin is acne prone, is it safe to use niacinamide? What other ingredients should I be watching for? I wanted to buy a retinol cream because you said in your podcast that it was originally developed as an acne treatment but I could find only one such cream and it was sold out, haha.

Perhaps I can add some information. Concerning the stinging, products with very high concentrations Niacniamide may cause some flushing in very sensitive individuals, try introducing the product slowly. Although I have to say, flushing does not happen very often, so there might be a chance there are other ingredients causing the eye irritation. Separate eye creams are not necessary, because often there is no difference in day, night or eye creams, but also there is no scientific evidence your skin under your eyes needs something else than the rest of your face.

Ethanol can be a problem when it's listed among the first five to six ingredients (let's say 5%), especially people with dry/sensitive skin should choose other products. Niacinamide is very helpful for people with acne. It has anti-inflammatory properties and it slows down the production of histamine. It also slows down sebum production and reduces pigmentation. Try looking for products with 4-5% Niacinamide, the ingredient is not expensive and stable.

Thanks! I used it again and this time no irritation. I wonder when I will see my fine lines (from smiling) disappear. Also, is it possible that it first makes acne worse? I've heard that about retinol. Today I bought a product that looked promising. It is Missha super aqua anti-trouble formula after spot balm (they don't like to use the word acne, they call it trouble). The ingredients are: niacinamide, titanium dioxide, tocopherol, salicylic acid, tocopheryl acetate, phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin. If my training at the beauty brains is good enough already, this must be a working product, right? Do you think it's OK to use around the eyes (the salicylic acid worries me)? And will it have skin whitening effects? Btw, I am acne prone and my skin is very sensitive (I also blush easily, had sun allergy as a kid, certain clothes irritate my skin, you get what I mean) but it is not oily, it can even be dry in winter, so is slowing down sebum production good for me? Do I need extra moisturising?